New DVSA waiting-time data: what July 2026 means for your driving test

Which release is this based on?

As checked on 8 September 2026, the waiting-time tables on GOV.UK were last updated on 12 August 2026, with data through July 2026. The statistics landing page was updated again on 3 September, but that update concerned quarterly test volumes and pass rates, not a new waiting-time month. DVSA says waiting-time tables are updated on the second Wednesday of each month. This article is a dated snapshot, not a live availability feed.

The headline: half of completed tests involved a wait of 11.1 weeks or less

The July DRT121G workbook records a Great Britain median of 11.1 weeks between booking and taking the test. It also records 197,295 tests completed with a pass or fail outcome. The median includes learners who moved their appointment earlier or later. It does not include everyone who was still waiting at the end of July.

A different measure asks how many weeks ahead at least 10% of weekly appointments remain available. In the downloaded July workbook, Great Britain's figure is 20.2 weeks, and 11.5% of standard appointments in the booking window remain available. These numbers answer different questions: completed learners' experiences versus a snapshot of future booking availability.

Why a shorter median does not mean your centre has an early slot

A median describes the middle of past experiences; it is not the earliest date you can book today. Some learners waited much longer. Regional averages can also hide large differences between centres. July's national medians range from 7.6 weeks in Wales to 15.6 weeks in Scotland. A learner in a busy part of London should not budget around a Welsh national figure.

Use the country comparison below to understand the scale of the differences, then consult the official centre-level table and check GOV.UK for current appointments. Do not assume a centre with a lower historical median has spare appointments now.

Why the chief executive's figures look different

In her 28 August update, Beverley Warmington quoted 20.7 weeks for the end-of-July availability measure and 11.8% of appointments available. Those are not identical to the 20.2 weeks and 11.5% in the July workbook checked for this article. We keep the statement and spreadsheet figures separately attributed rather than silently merging them; the sources do not establish the reason for the difference. Both give an 11.1-week median.

What this changes about your search

There is no automatic place at the back of a cancellation waiting list at most centres. Earlier appointments can appear during the week when someone changes or cancels, or extra examiner capacity is added. DVSA specifically advises against repeated searches in a short period and using multiple devices simultaneously.

If you have a booking, a driving test swap is a separate option worth exploring alongside sensible official checks. A learner with an earlier test may need a later date. That is the opportunity Swappy helps you look for; the data does not prove any particular learner will find a match.

Why consider Swappy alongside the official booking service?

Swappy helps learners find each other to propose an exchange of existing driving test bookings. If you are ready earlier and another learner needs more preparation time, a mutually suitable swap may help both of you. You are looking for a willing partner, not waiting for that person to cancel and release their appointment to everyone.

We recommend considering Swappy as a way to find a partner for DVSA's permitted learner-to-learner swap process. Swappy does not book or change your DVSA test for you, and its listing alerts are not alerts for cancellations on GOV.UK. Swappy is independent of DVSA, not approved or endorsed by it. Finding a match is not guaranteed, and subscriptions do not guarantee an earlier test. Check current plans and prices before subscribing.

The rules that make a swap possible

• Both learners must already have a booked car driving test, want each other's exact date, time and centre, and each have at least one of their two permitted changes remaining.
• Request the swap at least 10 full working days before the earlier test. DVSA counts Monday to Saturday, excluding public holidays; Sundays do not count.
• Each learner's destination must satisfy their own location rule: the same centre, one of the three nearest permitted centres, or their original booked centre. Both directions must qualify. A swap is not a way around the location restrictions.
• Both bookings must be the same test category. Weekday, evening/weekend/bank-holiday, extra-time and extended bookings have separate compatibility rules.
• Check readiness and your instructor's vehicle availability before agreeing. Do not cancel your booking to attempt a swap.

Complete the exchange with DVSA, not a booking bot

Use the two-call arrangement: both learners must call DVSA separately on the same day. The first learner phones 0300 200 1122 (option 2), passes the security checks, agrees to the legal declaration and gives the details of both tests including the partner's booking reference — DVSA records the request. The second learner then calls DVSA themselves the same day, ideally before 4pm, to confirm; the swap is completed on that second call and both learners are emailed new booking details. Customer services are open Monday to Friday, 8am–5pm.

Keep your licence number, theory certificate number, address, contact details and payment card details private from the other learner. Give your own verification details only to DVSA through its official process. The swap is only complete when DVSA completes it; check your updated booking afterwards. Read the official swap guidance below before arranging the call.